Caroline Bryant
Features Editor
Junior Emily Dressel is a self-proclaimed website nerd.
When she was little, she would make different accounts and use free trials on Wix to make as many mock websites as she could. They ranged from websites about horses, to websites about fake clothing brands. Whatever she brainstormed was always translated into a digital page.
As she got older, her passion for media evolved, adding social media into the mix. Studying the ins and outs of social media through personal use, Dressel decided to create Emily Dressel Media last January.
To gain clients as a new business, Dressel started marketing her skills to people she knew with businesses that, in her opinion, could use a little website or social media TLC.
“I reached out to all of them,” Dressel said. “I knew them, of course, beforehand, and I just saw opportunities like, ‘Hey, you probably could use some help on your social media, or I know you do a lot of startups and a lot of businesses, do you need help with websites?’ It’s a lot about throwing yourself out there.”
With her confidence, Dressel picked up two main clients. The first was a boutique shop last summer. She considered it a “three-month intensive,” showing the owner different social media tips and tricks that would separate her business from the rest.
Now, she works with Wicked Beard Oil Company. After spending countless hours revamping their website and doing a “complete 360” on their social media, Dressel is excited to reveal to followers on Feb. 20 what’s been under construction.
She loved finding the balance between creative freedom and staying true to their brand identity. That’s why building Wicked Bear Oil Company’s Shopify website was her idea of fun.
“I feel like we always pull out social media first to look at a business, and then we’ll go to the bio, we’ll click the link, and we’ll see the website,” Dressel said. “Some people might think websites are so outdated, but I think they’re just an extension for more information.”
Being a figure in the Florida powerlifting community, Dressel connected Wicked Beard Oil Co. with powerlifting athletes (with beards, of course) to promote their products.
Recognizing her talent, those powerlifting coaches have even asked her for help when writing their training programs.
On the side, she’s taken social media photos for Revival and designed logos for friends. And while she’s thankful for those who believe in her, she believes building her business is all about quality over quantity.
“I’ve only had two main clients so far, which I’m still extremely grateful for,” Dressel said. “Those relationships matter and you can start building your portfolio from day one, so that’s what I start kind of looking at it as more than like ‘Let’s see how many clients I can get.’ It’s more, ‘How many projects can I get? How many high-quality pieces can I have for my portfolio?… it’s always been a journey of building.”
Her classes at college also aided her journey. Starting at South Florida State College, Dressel explains her time at the two-year program allowed her to build confidence needed for the job.
After transferring to Florida Southern, she is now a communications major concentrating in advertising and public relations, with a minor in integrated marketing communications. She’s excited to take Introduction to Advertising/PR with Dr. Alex Ortiz and Social Media Strategies with Dr. Pamela Dykes because it’ll be the first time she can apply and improve her skills.
Involvement in FSC’s student advertising agency, Lux 12, has also amped up her excitement. After completing projects for the school’s DEI committee and the communications department, Dressel and the team are now partnering with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
“Now we’re doing a whole thing with the Frank Lloyd Foundation,” Dressel said. “So from the very beginning that was very hands-on and very exciting for me… it was my first time working with a team in that setting with a group of like-minded people. I’ve worked in teams before, but nothing ever communications-related.”
Something Dressel hopes to do long-term is enhance her portfolio and master her expertise in social media management and website building. She would like to start at a marketing agency or communications firm post-grad, but she knows building her brand is the end goal.
“I’ve always been bogged down by 9-to-5 hours,” Dressel said. “I can say I’m privileged that I never had to do any of those long-term, but I just always hated it. It gets old after a while…I want to do my own thing.”
No matter what the future holds, Dressel’s love for digital media will always prevail.
